The Marriage Sacrifice

Dom was sex on legs. There was no denying that, but like this? It wasn’t possible.

Why did he have to be so … everything?

“You okay there?” he asked.

“Yes, of course. I’m perfectly fine.” She forced a smile to her lips, trying to pull herself out of her own thoughts. “Are you ready?”

“I am. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“And spoil the surprise? Not a chance.” She took his hand and led him out to the cab. Billy, like a gem, was still waiting. She gave him the directions, but he already knew where she was heading. “Billy, I’d like you to meet Dom, my fiancé. Dom, this is Billy.”

“Good to meet you, sir,” Billy said.

“Likewise.”

“Billy and I go way back,” she said.

“Really?” Dom raised his brow, and she smiled.

“Yes, your wife saved my marriage. Without her I would be alone, miserable, and regretting. One word of advice, Dom, do not, ever, ever, forget your anniversary. Not in a year, five, or ten years. Especially not when she’s borne you three children that at times can test the very saints.”

Sage smiled. His kids were a wonderful bunch, but they always wanted Mom and Dad. They hadn’t been any trouble to her, and she had adored looking after them.

“They’re not so bad.”

“Wait until you have children of your own, Sage. Believe me, when you want some private time, you’ll believe your children are the very worst.”

Children.

Would Dom want to have kids?

“Do you like children?” she asked.

“I do, yes. I don’t have any of my own, but I hope when I do, they’ll like me.” He took her hand, and she didn’t pull away as he held it. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

She heard Billy snort.

Kids was kind of a theme today.

She helped every single year in the summer.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked.

“Sure.”

“When we get to our destination, please keep an open mind.”

“You know, you’re only making me more curious.”

“Be careful. Always remember what happened to the cat,” Billy said.

Sage laughed. “It’ll be fine. Stop worrying.”

“I don’t know. I think you need to see your man really loves you if he’s willing to let you take charge for the day.”

She wanted to tell Billy they weren’t in love. Their marriage was nothing more than a business contract, a merger, nothing that anyone would want to talk about.

She kept her mouth shut, instead, staring out of the window, and being very aware of him holding her hand.

She was connected to him, there was no denying that, but it was more than that. It was more than holding hands, and being engaged.

The ring on her finger seemed to burn her, but she couldn’t take it off. When she got home, she would. There was no way she was going to allow herself the chance to think and dream of something that really wasn’t there.

Billy pulled into the parking lot of where the fair was being held.

“You’re taking me to an amusement park?” Dom asked.

“Keep an open mind.” She pulled out some bills and handed them to Billy.

“No, you know I don’t take your money.”

“Billy, you’ve gone out of your way today. Please, you know I don’t feel comfortable about not paying you. At least take it for the gas used.”

“I don’t like taking money.”

“I’ll only leave it in the seat.” She would hate for him not to be able to pay for gas or for the upkeep of his cab if she didn’t pay him. They were friends, and she had no intention of exploiting that friendship either.

“Okay, okay, fine. Fine. Have fun today, you two,” Billy said.

“We will.” Well, she was going to make the most of it, but she didn’t know about Dom.

Sliding out of the car, she gave Billy a wave and turned to Dom, who looked … pensive.

“You okay?” she asked.

“We’re going to an amusement park?”

“Like I said, not exactly. The three local schools set up a bunch of stalls, and they have amusements parks come and set up to help raise them money for the coming year. It can bring funds for school trips, buses, equipment, that kind of thing.”

“Don’t they get it from donations?” he asked.

“Not all the time. I volunteer to help man the stores and also to keep an eye on things, and I also participate to help earn money.”

“And the press doesn’t follow you to these events?”

“I’m not a party animal. To the press, I’m boring and don’t need to be followed. If you don’t want to do it, I completely understand.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want to. Why not write them a check?”

“Dom, not everything is done in life by writing a check. This is not only fun for the kids, but it also allows them to feel part of it. They’ll respect what they get from the funds raised, and besides, I happen to find it a lot of fun. If you’re really not into it, it’s fine, but I’ve helped them for a couple of years now and I’m not going to go back on my word.” Why did she think for even a second he could understand this? Just write a check? Something so impersonal.